3. Start a meditation practice—and keep it up.

A life-long meditation practice provides a multitude of physical and psychological benefits, including reduced stress, anxiety, cardiovascular disease and even increased compassion for others.

Start with a simple 15-minute meditation session before bed and/or just after waking up. In no time, expect to experience an uplifted mood, an easier time falling asleep, more restful sleep and even reduced conflict in your inner personal relationships.

If you find yourself frustrated by a wandering mind, try a guided meditation recording. A reader with a soothing voice makes a huge difference.

My absolute favorite of all time is Kelly Howell. Her speaking voice is amazing. You have to hear it to believe it. Try the Secret Universal Mind Meditation <——affiliate link. It’s my fav!

4. Stop criticizing yourself.

Correcting your mistakes and building on experience is a healthy approach to learning.

But constantly micromanaging yourself mentally is not.

Negative self-talk impacts the body as much as the mind.

Pay careful attention to your inner monologue. Make a conscious effort to redirect negativity. Restate harsh self-criticism in a positive way that promotes growth.

5. Scan your body for clues.

Try this simple exercise. Lie down, close your eyes and be completely still for about 10 minutes. Don’t move muscle, except to breathe.

8. Try a cold bath.

Again, not for everyone, especially if you suffer from conflicting health concerns.

But just a few minutes in a cold bath heightens the mind-body connection.

My recommendation is to not get in inch-by-excruciating-inch. Just force yourself to go in, and then spend a few minutes mentally going from head to toe, relaxing all the muscles (which will instinctively tense up).

This exercise forces a direct awareness of the mental control you have over your body.

9. Practice deep breathing.

Someone once said to me, “You can’t breath deeply and be anxious at the same time.”

I carry this bit of wisdom with me to this day.

Breath is an interesting intersection of the mind and body.

Most bodily functions are either voluntary or involuntary.

But breath is both.

Whenever you feel anxious or stressed, take a moment to slow and deepen the breath. All kinds of reactions take place as a result, including lowered blood pressure, slowed heart-rate and reduced stress.

10. Align your mind-body.

While Westerners tend to think of “working out” as a purely physical exercise, all workouts demand mental strength.